The echelons of martial arts philosophy is a way of life for martial art practitioners. It comprises of a moral code required to train in the physical, mental and spiritual ways of the art. In this day and age, western ideas have entered this sacred sanctum. Unlike in the western world, combative arts like wrestling, boxing, fencing, etc. a person trained in just one of the three ways would not be considered to be a complete martial artist.The western ego has altered the philosophy, and any combative art regardless of moral codes and philosophy of the art is considered martial art. This western attitude and thinking have given birth to many forms of modern martial arts around the world. Modern practitioners in the name of sports tweak, alter and add ideas, and new named to the traditional martial art form.

This westernization of martial arts has created a paradigm shift in the philosophy of martial arts. Modern martial art philosophy is more about survival of the fittest be it a battlefield, the streets or the ring.

The purists believe that with this philosophy the modern martial artists do not qualify as martial artists but are just skilled technicians of martial art techniques.